Major changes affecting motorcycle and moped riders have come into force, with new restrictions on the use of learner licences and stricter protective equipment requirements for people working in product delivery.
Under the new rules, holders of a learner licence for motorcycles or mopeds, including tricycles and quadricycles, may no longer use the road network unless they are doing so for training or during a driving test. The change directly affects delivery riders, many of whom had previously been working with a learner licence.
Speaking to Politis radio and the Morning Review programme, Tasos Assikis of Police Headquarters Traffic Department said the changes were significant.
“Several things have changed,” he said, explaining that learner licence holders in these vehicle categories are no longer authorised to drive on public roads, except for training or examination purposes.
He said the restriction also applies to those using motorcycles or mopeds for delivery work.
“A holder of a learner licence, including those driving for the delivery of products, is no longer allowed to drive with a learner licence. They must have a full licence,” Assikis said.
According to Assikis, those affected had been informed in advance and were expected to apply to sit the relevant driving tests. He said this had already happened, based on information from the Department of Road Transport.
New protective equipment requirements
The new rules also introduce protective equipment obligations for delivery riders working in courier and postal services who already hold a full driving licence.
Assikis said riders must wear a properly fastened helmet of an approved type, as well as equipment falling under at least two of three specified categories.
The first category includes a jacket or vest with reflective strips, which must be worn externally and above the waist. The second includes long trousers, boots or closed shoes and gloves. The third concerns an airbag specifically designed for use on a motorcycle or other vehicle in the same category.
Assikis said the rules were designed to take account of different weather conditions.
“This is an obligation. The equipment is adapted for all weather conditions,” he said, clarifying that delivery riders are not required to wear a jacket during the summer months, as they may instead use a reflective vest.
“They are not obliged to wear the jacket in summer. They can wear the vest with reflective strips for their protection, so they are visible,” he said.
He added that the law does not require riders to wear every item of equipment at once.
“The legislation does not oblige them to wear all of these. They must choose two of the three,” Assikis said.
